Free A Summer Romance by Tracey Smith

she agreed, looking back at her
friend. The women had circled the park and were coming back toward
the stage.
    “And what a hottie!” Andi exclaimed. At that
moment Aaron was lifting some large speakers onto the stage, his
biceps flexed against his t-shirt.
    “Yes he is,” Maggie agreed emphatically.
    “A man like that could even make old Mrs.
Bouchard blush.” Both women laughed at the ridiculous
statement.
    “Speak of the devil,” Maggie said as she
spotted Mrs. Bouchard crossing the lawn. “Looks like we’re about to
find out.” She picked up her pace to reach Aaron’s side about the
same time as the old woman.
    “What exactly do you think you’re doing
here, criminal?” the old woman bit out at Aaron. He seemed startled
by the harsh demand and simply stared at her, unsure of how to
respond. Maggie stepped up to his side.
    “He’s here with me,” she declared, staring
the old woman down.
    “That doesn’t surprise me one little bit.
Filth gathers.” Mrs. Bouchard made no attempt to sugar coat her
opinion. “Well, just because Agnes Devereaux has decided to bring a
whore and a convict to our town does not mean I’m just going to sit
by and let them influence my poor, innocent grandson.”
    “Grandmother, please.” One of the boys from
the band looked completely embarrassed by the scene that she was
causing. Several people nearby had stopped to stare. Maggie and
Aaron were still speechless, not sure how to handle the old
woman.
    “It’s lovely to see you too, Mrs. Bouchard!”
Andi practically shouted at the woman as she stepped between her
and Maggie. “Wonderful night for a barbeque isn’t it?” She spoke to
her as if she was very hard of hearing, and Maggie suspected that
the woman’s hearing was just fine. She’d seen Andi use this tactic
before to thwart the old woman’s venomous ranting. It seemed to
work, if only for a minute. Mrs. Bouchard sputtered as Andi led her
away from the group, continuing to talk very loudly about the food
and fireworks and acting as if the woman hadn’t said anything
unpleasant.
    “I should go,” Aaron said quietly.
    “Please stay,” Maggie said. “I was hoping we
could watch the fireworks together.”
    Aaron met Maggie’s gaze. She could see the
longing in his eyes and the sadness. “I was too,” he practically
whispered. Then he turned and walked away.

 
~9~
     
    “I’m sorry about tonight,” Andi said as they
pulled into the driveway. “Mrs. Bouchard is just a crazy old witch.
You can’t pay her any mind.”
    “It wasn’t just her,” Maggie admitted. “I
saw the way people looked at him. It’s not fair, they don’t even
know him.”
    “It’s a small town,” Andi replied as if that
was explanation enough. Maggie was beginning to think that this
“small town” wasn’t for her after all, but that thought just led to
the question that had been hanging over her head since she started
this journey. What next? She was too overwhelmed to tackle that
question right now, so she once again just pushed it to the
side.
    “I wish you would’ve stayed for the
fireworks,” Andi added after a few minutes of silence.
    “I just wasn’t in the mood anymore,” Maggie
replied. Andi nodded her understanding. They pulled up to the house
and saw Aaron’s truck parked in the driveway. Maggie’s spirits
immediately lifted.
    “Is that his truck?” Andi asked.
    “Yes.” Maggie was smiling as she reached for
the car door handle.
    “Do you want me to stay?” Andi asked,
sounding concerned.
    “No, thanks for the ride.” Maggie said as
she jumped out of the car and closed the door before her friend
could respond. She walked up to the porch with a racing heart.
    As Andi pulled away the headlights flashed
across the front of the house and for a brief moment Maggie could
see Aaron’s silhouette sitting in a rocking chair, but then the
lights were gone and he was once again shrouded in darkness. Maggie
climbed the steps slowly. Her heart was racing